Hello everyone and WELCOME to the new blog. I am so glad to see you! At first glance it’s not that different is it! And, here’s the very first blog of my new venture!
So, dear readers who’ve come over from the Frugal blog, who are so very welcome, that was just one blog posted on Frugalfashionshopper in January. (That was the update I put on the Frugal blog telling you the new blog was encountering the usual IT glitches.) And one in February (That was where I looked at films seen recently) That’s not many blogs as I have consistently posted once a week from 2013 to this break in 2025. And what did I do with my time away from blogging? Not much in the way of writing memoirs, and that’s a fact. What I did find out, though, was that I really missed blogging. I love communicating with you all.
Anyway, the writing that will go with this new venture (as in, this blog) is going to be very like the Frugal blog, except there will just be less emphasis on shopping. Quite soon I will update you on some health issues, but already in the pipeline are posts on books, films, and, yes, style. I still love my clothes, people, and I still believe that we should not fade away into wearing age-appropriate clothes – let’s be inappropriate and have some fun! I shall also set out my take on politics and the state of the world, and what I aim to do, about the posts that would normally go on My Other Blog.
But back to communication, connections and the conversations I hope to have with you.
Just recently a friend of mine died. At my age that’s nothing unusual really, it comes with the territory. But of all the friends of mine that have died in the last few years (over 10) this one upset me the most. And why? I mean, really, why? After all I hadn’t seen her for some time and had kind of lost touch, although we did send each other Christmas cards. I mean, that type of Christmas card connection is fine if people live the other end of the UK, Scotland for instance or Wales, or further away across oceans, but she did live in the next town – 15 minutes away by car.
I always thought never mind when I get back in touch, I just will, at some point. And now, of course, I cannot. You see I saw her as part of the furniture of my life and thought she was always going to be around
So, during this absence from blogging I contacted a lot of friends and said, how glad I was that they were there and that I valued their friendship. Connection and indeed communication between friends is so important and I truly aim to keep up to date and in contact with people who matter to me.
Likewise, I probably will continue the once a week/every ten days blogging timetable of before. I missed writing blogs, and I love communicating with you all and I love seeing the connections you make with other commenters – because connection is everything. And moreover, sharing how we negotiate these latter years (because let’s face it these years can be a challenge) will be the main aim of this blog. Yes, ageing is a privilege, but it can also be a right bitch 😂
The thing is, ageing comes to us all, but (as I say in that title above) let’s look at this ageing lark together. Let’s talk about how we age, and let’s share advice, experiences and above all, be real about our lives. And starting as I mean to go on the next blog is about books read in January.
With love, Penny, who is now no longer the Frugalfashionshopper and more of a woman you can have a chat with!
P.S. It would be lovely if you could pop your email into the subscribe button so you can get the posts straight to your in-box – and remember there are two actions to become a subscriber, as you will then receive an email asking you to click on the link to confirm you want to be a subscriber. This is not done by me, but by something called Jetpack so do let me know if there are any glitches, and do bear with if any other IT stuff comes your way. And let us know.
I shall post on the Frugal blog telling you about the new blog for at least another month or so, but I will eventually cease doing that.
So pleased to see you back Penny. I look forward to your new blogs with pleasure.
Thank you so much Sue 😀
Hello Penny. Congratulations on getting the new blog up and running. I have subscribed – done both parts 😊 so looking forward to your regular posts. Every best wish, Kathy x
Thank you Kathy – I’m looking forward to writing the blogs 😀
Looks like it has worked Penny. I’m subscribed! Well done to both of you xx
That’s great Christine 😀
Subscription successful!
Yay and three cheers 😀
Hi Penny,
I’m a soon to be 79 year old living in a village near Storrington, West Sussex.
I look forward to reading your new blog.
That’s great Margaret and you live in Sussex – hi! 😀
I’m up and running too Penny I think!!!
Good luck with your new venture.
Thank you Mai – just seen this so apologies for the delay in saying – hi!
I’ve followed you for some years and look forward to your blogs.
Congratulations on the new venture – I will be watching what you have to say!
That’s so good to hear – thank you Julie 😀
Subscribed! And very glad to see you back again Penny!
Look forward to future posts from you!
Yay and thank you Pauline 😀
Subscription done! Looking forward to your coming posts!
Hi and thank you 😀
Hello – here I am , looking forward to the new blog.
Hi Alison and thank you 😀
Hoorah! I successfully subscribed to your new blog. Looking forward to reading it Penny.
That’s great Tina – thank you 😀
Hi Penny – glad to be on the ‘other side’. I can confirm I have just subscribed and had a link to confirm. So it seems all is working well. Sorry about the loss of your friend. I think we do fall into a pattern of assuming certain people will always be there should it be the right time to have a proper catch up and, sometimes, in later life that stops being the case. I am blessed in having got back in touch with two good friends from the past recently – one last year and one since Christmas and I am so glad I have done so. There is another friend, actually my best friend for many years, where despite living 15 minutes apart, we haven’t actually had a proper conversation for some years because life has got in the way. I intend to put that one right.
I very much look forward to reading your future blog posts.
Yes, exactly we’re on the same page – connection and keeping those connections going is everything. Thanks so much for subscribing
Hi Penny
Welcome back. I look forward to your next post.
Thank you so much Cindy 😀
Congratulations, Penny. As a longtime follower, I like this new change to your blog. Change is not easily accepted when one is staring at 80. I, too, have the same mirror. I’m looking forward to reading about your new adventures. Stay safe … Sandra [Canadian Maritimes]
Oh Sandra hello and yes, we are on the same page! Thanks so much for subscribing 😀
Yay! Looking forward to your new blog!
That’s great – thanks 😀
I did sign up to subscribe and did receive an email, but it did not include a link to click to confirm my subscription. Perhaps all is well, but just letting you know things did not happen as you described. Thanks!
Just to say I checked the list that Jetpack sends me and you are subscribed! Thanks so much 😀
Hello again
Lovely to see the new blog – and older boldness.
Yay and thank you Sarah 😀
I am so glad you are not disappearing Penny, as I have enjoyed your blog for many years. Living “across the pond” as they say, it does appeal to my armchair travel, as I believe it is so important to see how others on this planet face the same issues that we all do, regardless of where we live.
Thank you for appearing in my inbox, whenever you can!
Oh that’s great – we are so on the same page! Thanks Lorraine 😀
You did it ! and I subscribed too – I think . Good Luck & have fun
Thank you Wendy – but I don’t know if you’ve noticed there are some IT issues we can’t seem to resolve. Look out for some more news on this very soon. But thanks again – you are all so much appreciated 😊